A new study suggests that treating gum disease within three months of a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib) may reduce oral inflammation and lower the chances of AFib returning. The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlights a possible link between oral health and heart rhythm disorders.
AFib is a condition where the heart beats irregularly, which increases the risk of stroke fivefold. It is expected to affect more than 12 million people in the U.S. by 2030, according to the American Heart Association. Researchers are now exploring whether improving gum health can help reduce the recurrence of this condition.
Gum disease is common, affecting nearly half of American adults over 30, and becomes more frequent with age. While previous studies have connected gum disease to heart disease, this is one of the first to examine whether treating gum inflammation can impact AFib.
Study Findings
The study was led by Dr. Shunsuke Miyauchi from Hiroshima University in Japan. It involved 288 adults who had undergone a procedure called catheter ablation, which is used to treat AFib by destroying small areas of heart tissue responsible for irregular beats. Of these participants, 97 received gum disease treatment after their procedure, while 191 did not.
Researchers followed the participants for an average of 8.5 months to 2 years to see whether their AFib returned. The key findings included:
- AFib returned in 24% of all participants.
- Patients with severe gum disease who had it treated were 61% less likely to experience AFib recurrence compared to those who did not receive treatment.
- Those whose AFib returned had worse gum disease than those who remained free of the condition.
- Several factors increased the likelihood of AFib recurrence, including having gum disease, being female, experiencing irregular heartbeat for more than two years, and having a larger left atrial volume (which is linked to heart scarring and thickening).
One of the surprising discoveries was how useful a measurement called periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was in predicting heart health. PISA calculates the severity of gum inflammation, and researchers found it could be helpful in cardiovascular care.
The Link Between Oral and Heart Health
Although the American Heart Association does not officially consider oral health a direct risk factor for heart disease, it acknowledges that oral health reflects overall well-being. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart and other organs.
Chronic gum inflammation has been linked to conditions like coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes.
This study suggests that treating gum disease may have benefits beyond oral health. It may reduce inflammation in the body and improve heart conditions like AFib. However, more research is needed to confirm this connection.
Study Limitations and Next Steps
While the findings are promising, the study has limitations. It was conducted at a single hospital in Japan and only included Asian participants. The patients were not randomly assigned to receive gum treatment, meaning other factors could have influenced the results.
Additionally, researchers did not track gum health over time in those who did not receive treatment, nor did they reassess inflammation levels after the ablation procedure.
Dr. Miyauchi and his team are now working on further research to better understand the connection between gum disease and AFib. If future studies confirm these findings, treating gum disease could become a simple and effective way to help prevent heart rhythm disorders from returning.
For now, maintaining good oral hygiene—such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups—may be a smart step not only for protecting teeth and gums but also for supporting heart health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing Zinc and vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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